Modulation of endothelial permeability by 1-O-alkylglycerols

Regulation of endothelial barrier function often occurs through signalling involving phospholipase C activation which produces diacylglycerol (DAG), a lipidic second messenger activator of protein kinase C (PKC). Therefore, modification of lipidic composition of endothelial cell membranes might modify DAG production and, as a result, alter regulation of endothelial permeability. We investigated the in vitro effects of natural 1-O-alkylglycerols on porcine aortic endothelial cell permeability to dye-labelled albumin. 3H]-1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm) were substantially incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (6.6%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (4.4%). Stimulation of endothelial cell monolayer with phorbol-myristate-acetate or with the calcium ionophore A23187 resulted in a raise in permeability to albumin. Pre-treatment with 1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm, 24 h) had no effect on basal albumin permeability but totally inhibited the effect of phorbol-myristate-acetate, and brought the permeability of A23187-stimulated endothelial cell monolayers below control. After incubation of cells with 3H]-1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm, 24 h), we detected the production of the analogue of DAG, and PKC inhibitor, 3H]-1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerol, in resting cells. This production was increased by 58% under A23187 stimulation while phorbol-myristate-acetate had no effect. Our data demonstrate that natural 1-O-alkylglycerols modify endothelial permeability, and suggest that this effect could be mediated through alteration of lipidic signalling.